World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress Proceedings, 2003

Ulrike Wurth, BVSc, Dip Acup., IVAS Certified

Victoria, Australia

Cats as a species have remarkable powers of healing and acupuncture which stimulates the body to heal itself is particularly effective in cats. But cats being cats, many practitioners are often reluctant to treat cats with acupuncture needles because of their defensive reactions to needle insertion. Given that acupuncture generally requires a minimum of three to four treatments, a general anaesthetic is not only expensive, but there is a risk with repeated anaesthesia. Most cats will tolerate 32 gauge 15 mm Seirin Acupuncture needles and will sit quietly for the treatment time of 10 -15 minutes.

With an experienced nurse holding the cat, needles are inserted quickly and only gentle needle stimulation is required. Once the endorphin response occurs, most cats will sit quietly for the remainder of the treatment. Cats that are very thin e.g., kittens and geriatric cats, are difficult to needle. In these cases, a Laser can be used to stimulate the acupuncture points. For difficult cats, GV 20 which has a sedating effect may be useful.

Feline Diseases Treated With Acupuncture

Urinary Tract

Lower Urinary Tract Disease

Post surgery

Recurrent cystitis

Renal failure

Musculoskeletal

Arthritis

Muscle Trigger points

Trauma

Non union fractures

Skin

Miliary dermatitis

Acute moist dermatitis

Gastrointestinal

Diarrhoea

Constipation/Megacolon

Respiratory Tract

Cat Flu

Chronic Sinusitis

Feline Asthma

Eyes

Conjunctivitis

Dry eye

Mouth

Gingivitis

Neurological

Ischaemic Encephalopathy

Vestibular Disease

Immune

Immunodeficiency

Haemolytic Anaemia

Geriatric cats

Shock

URINARY TRACT

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease

TCM Diagnosis Damp Heat in the Bladder, either due to Heat and Damp, diet creating internal dampness or the emotions of suspicion and jealousy. Painful over BL 28.

Treatment: BL 60, KI 7, SP 9, ST 41, BL 23, KI 3, BL 28, intravenous fluids and diet. Cats treated surgically for urethral obstruction or urolithiasis which do not urinate voluntarily after surgery can be treated with the same acupuncture points and will normally urinate within 12-24 hours.

Treatment: Fluid therapy and the Korean four needle technique. It is important to use the points in the right order to strengthen the Kidneys: sedate SP 3 and KI 3, tonify LU 8 and KI twice weekly for 8 treatments.

MUSCULOSKELETAL

Arthritis

Arthritis in TCM is due to an invasion of Wind plus Heat, Cold and Damp with one factor predominating. The type of pain and the sensation vary, e.g., joints will feel hot, if the predominating factor is Heat, cold if it is Cold, or be swollen in the case of Damp.. For treatment the technique of using local and distal points is used. Distal points are chosen according to the meridians passing through the affected area and local points that are located around the affected joint.

Treatment: Eliminate Wind, Heat, Cold and Damp. For lesions along the spine use BL 60, KI 3, GB 34, BL 11, BL 23 and locally painful points along the spine. If a particular joint is affected, treat the meridian and the joint at the site of the lesion.

Muscle Trigger Points

Cats can also have muscle trigger points especially if there has been trauma. Treatment is by using distal points on a meridian that passes through the affected muscle and the site of the trigger point.

Non Union Fracture

Acupuncture has been shown to stimulate bone healing using points that tonify and move Qi along the meridians that pass through the affected area. The fracture site is encircled with needles.

SKIN

Acute Moist Dermatitis

Cats with acute moist dermatitis ('Hot Spots') which are not flea or allergy related, may indicate pain. A cat may lick continuously at a painful area with arthritis, such as over the spine or over affected joints. Treat as for arthritis.

Over Grooming

In TCM any psychological disease is related to the Heart. A Liver Qi stagnation due to prolonged anger eventually gives rise to Heart Fire with restlessness, agitation, irritability, disturbed sleep and rapid pulse.

Both congenital and acquired megaoesophagus can be treated with acupuncture. The outcome can be variable, but generally there is an improvement in the vomiting or regurgitation which is the main symptom of this condition.

The signs of Ischaemic Encephalopathy and Idiopathic Vestibular Disease can both be described in TCM as a Wind invasion either external or internal due to some underlying deficiency of Qi, Blood, or Yin (especially Kidney or Liver Yin).

Acupuncture can be beneficial in almost any geriatric pet. They respond by becoming more alert and interactive with their owners. LI 4, LI 11 and ST 36 are the main longevity points. They can be used alone or in addition to other points when treating another complaint.

SHOCK

GV 26 a point located midway along the line of the nasal philtrum is an important point to reverse shock.